Pirelli has announced that it has extended its contract as Formula One's exclusive tyre supplier for another three years, taking it through to the end of the 2019 season.
Pirelli's existing contract has been due to expire at the end of the current season. The new agreement represents a three year extension through 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Italian tyre manufacturer confirmed that the new agreement had been completed over the winter.
Pirelli, the FIA and the Formula One teams have also agreed important changes to the sports technical regulations, which means that there will be new technical regulations from 2017 featuring significant changes to the bodywork specifications and the introduction of wider tyres.
In order to prepare for the new regulations, Pirelli has succeeded in getting agreements from the FIA and the teams to modify the sporting regulations regarding tyre testing
The changes mean that tests with 2012, 2013 or 2014-specification cars can now take place, using tyres in the current size but with prototype elements to prepare for 2017.
In addition, Pirelli will be able to undertake up to 25 days of testing with modified 2015 cars, using prototype tyres in their full 2017 sizes.
Testing with pre-2015 cars is already underway according to Pirelli, while testing with 2015 cars using prototypes of next year's larger tyres will take place over the summer, following a test programme that has been agreed between the FIA and the participating team
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